Snap One Poised for Success Heading into GSX 2023
Araknis X20 routers and switchers are among the highlights of the new security products on display, but the excitement doesn’t stop there.
As is usually the case heading into one of the biggest trade shows in the industry, there’s a lot of excitement up and down the halls of Snap One’s manufacturing facilities heading into GSX 2023, scheduled for Sept. 11-13 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
The Global Security Exchange — GSX, for short — attracts thousands of manufacturers, integrators and end users with an eye on finding the next great product or products that will help them stand out from the competition and enhance the safety of all involved.
With a company that has the size, scope, breadth and reach of Snap One, it can be hard to single out just one new offering. Clint Choate, the company’s senior director of security markets, says he can’t wait for the ribbon to be cut and for the GSX 2023 show floor to be packed with people looking for something that can set them apart.
“We’re excited to show off our all-new Araknis X20 routers and switches at GSX this year,” he says. “These next-gen networking solutions offer Layer 3 functionality and speeds up to 2.5Gbps to fully maximize the latest high-speed ISP services, while optimizing WiFi 6 and AVoIP performance.
“They were built to support advanced use cases, such as building management systems, 4×4 WiFi 6 and high-bandwidth installations, to ensure integrators can complete jobs of any size or complexity,” Choate says. “And with OvrC included, integrators can reduce manual setup time, view system health and diagnostic data, and troubleshoot remotely. These tools eliminate unnecessary truck rolls and enable integrators to provide world-class service to their clients.”
For end users, he says, this means their infrastructure can handle the latest requirements and supports future applications and media formats.
“The added peace of mind offered by VPN security and an embedded firewall increases the value for clients, too, ensuring long-term satisfaction and operational excellence,” says Choate. “Integrators can also set clients up with their own OvrC account to view the same system-health data and troubleshoot on their own, should they want that level of access.”
Of course, Snap One won’t be heading to the Lone Star State with just one product to show off in its GSX booth. Many of its other products will also be prominently displayed in hopes of catching attendees’ eyes and helping them envision something they might have never considered for their security solutions.
Like with the Araknis series, Snap One is focused on convenience, simplicity and fewer truck rolls, says Choate.
“We will also be featuring WattBox power solutions and the OvrC Pro Hub,” he says. “Our WattBox products come in a variety of forms — from IP and traditional power conditioners to surge-protection devices and uninterruptible power supplies. Many of these come with OvrC integrated, so Partners get all of the remote-management benefits in their power solution, again cutting down troubleshooting time and truck rolls.
“Programmed features like scheduled reboots and automatic reboots when WattBox senses an internet disconnect usually fixes simple issues without integrators or end users knowing there was ever a problem,” Choate adds. “WattBox is also flexible and scalable, so they can be easily adapted to the needs of any home or office.”
The OvrC Pro Hub is Snap One’s external device that allows integrators to view and manage all of the devices on a client’s network, he says. This includes both Snap One products and hundreds of third-party devices.
“Integrators can connect to any compatible device on the network to view system health, run network diagnostics, scan devices, and make settings [adjustments] or firmware updates,” says Choate. “This hub adds functionality and saves time by eliminating truck rolls for every service need.”
What Else is New for Snap One
Earlier this year, Snap One underwent a sales transformation. This entailed the company restructuring its team to better serve all its integrator Partners, says Choate.
“Now, every integrator, big or small, has dedicated sales coverage supporting their product needs, addressing their challenges and helping them grow their business,” he says. “These sales resources are supported by a team of engineers and technical support that provides help for any project scoping, troubleshooting and system design.”
Choate continues, “We’re also focused on bringing our products and services to our integrators’ doorsteps. We currently have 40 brick-and-mortar stores serving our integrators across the U.S. Our Snap One Partner Stores provide convenient, local access to additional products not available on our website and services that save integrators time and help them get the job done right. We offer expert training sessions, in-person support, demo days and more. We continue to expand our local footprint, with more locations scheduled to open this year.”
According to Choate, Snap One “understands integrators have many options when it comes to selecting a vendor, so we work every day to go above and beyond to be their preferred vendor. Snap One was founded by integrators, for integrators. We know their businesses inside out, including pain points and areas of opportunity.
“We also know the features and benefits integrators need to grow in a competitive landscape and work that knowledge into our products and service,” he adds. “We manufacture and sell products directly to integrators, ensuring they are never price shopped by end customers.”
“In addition to our well-known house brands, we also distribute many of the industry’s top brands to create a seamless one-stop shop,” Choate says. “Combined with our award-winning support, ecommerce portal and over 40 local branches, Snap One’s mission is to make lives easier for our Partners and the customers they serve.”
Choate is already looking ahead to 2024, highlighting some of the top opportunities and challenges for Snap One and the industry as a whole.
“Networking products and support present the greatest opportunities in 2024,” he says. “More and more of our integrator Partners are being called upon to own their client’s network and installation. As we build out a larger portfolio of commercial-focused products, we empower our Partners to win jobs and service them going forward.”
Choate explains, “Our new line of Araknis X20 switches and routers, Strong brand commercial mounts and racks, and our WattBox IP power line were all designed with networking in mind. Layering OvrC remote management into these products also simplifies service and ongoing support to give integrators the opportunity to add RMR to their offerings.
“The greatest challenge has to be SMBs using DIY or consumer-grade products in their installs,” he says. “These products may be easy to install, but they are not as robust as custom integrator solutions that have better longevity and provide a better customer experience. We take these pain points and use them to improve our products to further differentiate our solutions and services.”
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